Record temperatures driving up home air conditioning inquiries

ByAlice Cullinane

West Midlands

Finding an air conditioned space during the heatwave has been a topic of conversation for many people.

A red warning of extreme heat has affected millions of people - schools have closed, transport has been disrupted and people have been searching for cooler spaces in which to work or rest.

Churches, community centres, museums and libraries have been providing free 'cool spaces', helping people to take a break from the rising temperatures.

But some people are going a step further and installing air conditioning in their homes. For companies like Aircon Services in Tamworth, business is booming with domestic inquiries rising by 300% in the last six years.

People were not willing to tolerate the heat anymore co-founder Marc Newbold said adding air conditioning was starting to be viewed as a necessity not a luxury.

Ninety percent of UK homes will overheat during the summer by 2050, the National Housing Federation said.

Homes have historically been designed for the colder weather with the aim of keeping heat in.

Overheating occurs when indoor temperatures rise to an uncomfortable level, typically exceeding 25C to 27C.

In England, 4% of homes currently have air conditioning, external according to the University of Reading.

The hot weather has increased air conditioning inquiries from two a week to about 25 as people look for instant ways to cool down, Newbold said.

"We are stacking up bookings for weeks to come and the inquiries are difficult to keep up with, but creates a lot of business," he added.

Air conditioning for a small bedroom could cost about £1,500 but people were seeing this as an investment in comfort, he said.

Also specialising in air conditioning for hotels, shops and offices, Newbold added the units were "not just a one year purchase" but something that would last for 15 years.

Jasheem Benson, who runs Aervue Air Conditioning in Birmingham, described business as "manic" with sales doubling since March.

His staff are working seven days a week to fit in extra installations and surveys, visiting around five homes a day as inquiries pour in.

"The phone doesn't stop ringing from 08:00 to 20:00 as people look for last minute, same day air-con units," he said.

But as his business is fully booked until the end of August, he urged people to "be patient" as companies wait for supplier deliveries with booming demand.

Most customers were asking about entire home air-con units, costing up to £6,500.

"The heat is staying regardless and it will be the same next year, so people need to get prepped and book ahead," he said.

The NHF said overheating was more likely to occur in lower-income households that may not be able to afford cooling measures like air conditioning or fans.

"Many homes are unable to maintain comfortable temperatures during the more frequent and intense heatwaves we are experiencing as a result of climate change," it said.

Prolonged exposure to high indoor temperatures is linked to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, cardiovascular issues, sleep disturbance and mental health problems, it added.